Divided We Fall

Andy Martino of the NY Daily News touches upon some very sensitive issues surrounding the Mets and also reports about an incident that took place at a recent team meeting.

A young Met recently tried to address the others, speak from the heart and say that the team wasn’t playing to its potential and should try harder. Many veterans did not approve of a less experienced player speaking the truth, and one confronted him with something to the effect of, “What makes you think you have the right to say these things, kid? How long have you been here?”

Who was right there, the guys who played bad baseball and didn’t want to hear about it, or the one who spoke up?

Things are really starting to fall apart.

Yesterday, both David Wright and R.A. Dickey openly voiced their displeasure over the three Mets who did not accompany the team to the Walter Reed Medical Center. Wright’s comments in particular were very harsh and pointed.

At this time last season, the Mets were hurt and playing bad baseball too, but by all accounts the clubhouse was united and the players were all pulling for each other. Was it the Francoeur effect? They still played hard and were very motivated, and it was a big reason why Manuel was retained as the manager after the 2009 season.

The rift that now exists doesn’t seem like one that would easily heal over the winter. Especially with Luis Castillo, Carlos Beltran and Oliver Perez all expected to be back. And let’s not forget Frankie Rodriguez either who will also be back. I mention them because they have each had major issues with the team this season. Don’t forget it was David Wright who had the most sharpest criticism when Beltran opted to have surgery in January. Castillo has already asked for a trade, and Oliver Perez, well we all know that story.

Coincidentally, all four will be in the final years of their contracts next season and among the highest paid players on the team. Combined those four will earn $50 million dollars in 2011, more than one third of the team’s payroll.

I hope that they all somehow find a way to heal any existing wounds among the other players, otherwise it will be another long season next year. It doesn’t matter how good and how talented all the individual players on this team are if they can’t get along and play together.

I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73, '00 and '15, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction and interact with other passionate Met fans like you. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.